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5181howiAn Inventory of the William and Mary Howitt Papers,
1827-1886Finding Aid Prepared by FHL staffFriends Historical Library of Swarthmore
College.2006Text converted and initial EAD tagging provided by FHL Staff,
2006ENGAn Inventory of the William and Mary Howitt Papers,
1827-1886FHL staffFriends Historical Library of Swarthmore College.2006
Descriptive Summary
William and Mary Howitt Papers1827-1886RG5/181William Howitt, 1792-18791 box ; .5 linear feet Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore
College.
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081-1399 U.S.A.For current information on the location of
materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. William Howitt (1792-1879) and his wife, Mary
Botham Howitt (1799-1888), were English Quaker writers of miscellaneous poetic
and narrative materials for children and adults. The collection contains mainly
personal correspondence. Some translations from Swedish are included. There are
scattered references to their developing interest in spiritualism after the
1840s and manuscript copies of some of the poems and stories by both
Howitts.

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081-1399

Phone: (610) 328-8496 FAX: (610) 690-5728

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTE

William Howitt (1792-1879) and his wife, Mary Botham Howitt
(1799-1888) were both born into Quaker families of the English Midlands, he in
Derbyshire and she in Staffordshire. Both early determined to make their living
by their pens. William rejected his early apprenticeship as a builder-carpenter
and at first supported his family as a druggist until their joint success as
writers enabled them to devote themselves entirely to writing.

They both were professional writers in every sense, writing books on a
wide range of topics from their experiences and interests. Early books included
volumes of ballads and other poems, works on natural history and the
countryside, descriptions of ancient castles and historic mansions, "homes and
haunts of the poets," etc. They were liberal, even radical, in their views of
social and political matters and actively supported the causes of abolition,
women's rights, temperance, and the improvement of the conditions of the lower
classes. In the years between 1846 and 1848, they took over the publication
People's Journal, designed to "teach and enlighten" the working classes. This
soon failed, and they launched their own periodical, Howitt's Journal, which
survived only one year. During its life, however, their journal published
Elizabeth Gaskell's earliest stories, and they were helpful in launching her
literary career.

During a period of about ten years in Heidelberg, William produced
works on student and social life in Germany. Together with Mary, he wrote a
book on the literature of Northern Europe. Mary wrote many books for juvenile
readers and translated works from Scandinavian literature, including the first
translations into English of Hans Christian Anderson. In August 1847, the
Howitts resigned from the Society of Friends. They had become interested in
mesmerism and spiritualism, and in 1863, William produced "The History of
Spiritualism. Beginning in 1852, William Howitt had spent two years in the gold
mines of Australia, a visit which resulted in several books about that country.
In later years, the Howitts spent their time in the Austrian Tyrol and in Rome.
William died in Rome in 1879. Mary Howitt became a Roman Catholic in 1882, and
died in Rome in 1888.

SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE RECORDS

The collection contains mainly personal correspondence. Some
translations from Swedish are included. There are scattered references to their
developing interest in spiritualism after the 1840s, and in some letters,
William Howitt expresses his positions on topics such as the degradation of the
working classes because of drink, the decadence of politicians, and the evils
of vivisection. There are also some manuscript copies of poems and stories by
both Howitts.

Ser. 1 Correspondence: Miscellaneous recipients, many
unidentified. Letters are largely concerned with matters relating to writers'
publications, contributions to Journals, instructions to illustrators. Also
includes letters to friends and others arranging visits and other personal
matters. Ser. 2. Literary Works: Poems and short prose, fragments
of articles, etc.Ser. 3. Pictures

Copyright has not been assigned to Friends Historical Library All
requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted
in to the Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf Friends
Historical Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to
include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be
obtained by reader.

Preferred Citation

[Indicate the cited item or series here], William and Mary Howitt
Papers, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Processing information

Formerly cited as Howitt Manuscripts, the collection was compiled
from a few gifts and then a significant number of purchases 1966-1969. A
complete, detailed inventory is included with the collection, and significant
individual items are fully catalogued in the FHL Manuscript card catalogue.

SELECTED SEARCH TERMS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog
of the Friends Historical Library (TRIPOD). Researchers desiring materials
about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these
headings:

Author is writing upon the death of the recipient's brother.
Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.

Howitt, Mary to "Dear Madam"n.d. 2mo 22A.L.S.1

Author is writing about an autograph collection. Purchased from
Kenneth Rendell, 1969.

Howitt, [Mary] to Constable, [Mr.]n.d. MarchA.L.1

Enclosure: revised copy of verses "To the Reader."

Howitt, Mary to Acton, Missn.d. 3mo 6A.L.S.1

Author is discussing the publication of a book. Purchased from
Peter Eaton, Ltd., London, 1968.

Howitt, Mary to "Sir"n.d. 3mo 26A.L.S. facsimile1

Author is requesting that the recipient help gather signatures
in support of a Petition introduced in parliament concerning the "property and
earnings of married women." Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 1969.

Howitt, M[ary] to "Barbara"n.d. 4mo 2A.L.S.1

Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.

H[owitt], M[ary] to "Barbara"n.d. 4mo 11A.L.S.1

Purchased from Kenneth W. Rendell, 1969.

Howitt, Mary to Marston, (Mrs.)n.d. 4mo 17A.L.S.1

Purchased from Kingston Galleries, Inc., 12/10/1966.

Howitt, Mary to "Dear Sir"n.d. 4mo 22A.L.S.1

Author is writing about the publication of a book. Purchased
from Kingston Galleries, Inc., May 1969.